1. recording my progress briefly every day via a two e-mail draft system. One is a draft for current long-term goals + resources, and a second for To-do's related to those goals.

2. figuring out how to purchase my own health insurance for corrective jaw surgery/orthodontia.

3. pretty much finishing Fall Semester in a week.

4. preparing for a final interview in financial planning (it seems like an OK gig, but I'm trying to find something that doesn't require me to "build my own client book" -- bah!). I'm now starting to apply to more jobs due to finished school work. I'll be targeting investing places with a cause (endowments, philanthropy, etc.). At this point, I'm applying everywhere geographically.

5. seeing at my point of stress a lot more frequently (even wearing my reading glasses now!). I read a small-ish print sign today from 10 feet away the other day. Will go to the optometrist soon to see progress I've made.

6. Researching van living and travel through Vanabode. Will do preliminary research on van models that meet my needs best in Jan.

7. Still working as many hours as I can fit into my schedule and investing as much of it as possible.

8. Spending time with my primary partner, two affectionate close friends, and close friends. Reading More Than Two to educate myself on polyamory. My PP keeps dealing with pushback against me and polyamory from conservative family and friends--even if they haven't even met me or read anything related to poly ("OMG he didn't make you tea this morning?! You should dump him!!).

9. Researching for a light weight touring bike that can fit two wheel sets (winter + summer) to replace my mountain and road bike. Currently reaching out to folks on Craigslist.

10. Still awaiting US citizenship interview call. I'd like to have this before trying van living.

Visiting home in Miami at the moment. This place has me STRESSED the f@#$ out! Since I've been here, I've re-connected with three old high school friends, who are now done with college. One is a substitute teacher, the other a life guard, and the third unemployed. I've also spent time with some of my brother's friends, who also graduated from college a few year's ago. One is working the front desk of FPL and living at home (master's degree), the other working as a bartender, and the third unemployed. Meanwhile, my parents still owe 170k on their mortgage with a 30k annual income, have a few thousand in credit card debt, have a leased car and own a jeep (for urban roads), and work minimum wage, body-destroying jobs in their late 50's/early 60's. At least they have about 10k saved up, but...man, I hate visiting home.

I've upped my job searching to a panicked A LOT, because graduation is in a few months and I do NOT want to be living back home in this backwards, retail, and depressing city, thank you very much. I'm also still super annoyed at this insurance @#%! from delaying orthodontic/jaw treatment for longer than necessary. It bothers me so much to not have control over essential tooth structures wearing away unnecessarily.

Anyway, before I go on complaining, life is still stupidly good in the large scheme of things, I'm simply very panicked and frustrated at the moment.

I'm pretty sure kids are not responsible for parents debts, so don't worry about inheriting any. It's interesting that you have that knowledge of your parents finances. I doubt my in-laws even know themselves, let alone would tell us.

Even if you do end up back there, you have the drive to get out. You won't be there forever.

Your family's financial situation (and your ability to parse it clearly) is a tremendous tool for you. I had an early, disastrous marriage whose greatest value was in showing me what I didn't want from life. Consider your time spent at home as a free motivational seminar.

Olaz wrote:
I've upped my job searching to a panicked A LOT, because graduation is in a few months and I do NOT want to be living back home in this backwards, retail, and depressing city, thank you very much. I'm also still super annoyed at this insurance @#%! from delaying orthodontic/jaw treatment for longer than necessary. It bothers me so much to not have control over essential tooth structures wearing away unnecessarily.

Total Networth: 47K

Wow thats a cracker of a net worth at your age.

Do you have to go back to Miami though? Could you not just stay where you are or go where you want and work in any kind of job for a while until you get a grad job? I didnt have a grad job to go to immediately and was really panicked about it too. But I ended up just working more hours in a service industry job until I had a grad job. It ended up being a really nice period in my life where there was very little stress, no dealing with university stress or complex work stress. I only worked about 30 hours a week and had time and energy to engage in lots of hobbies. Had enough money to cover my basics and more. I also had a net worth of about minus $40k lol. I ended up really enjoying myself. It only lasted for about 4 months then I moved into a grad job.

In my last semester of college. It's been a long time coming, all the way from elementary school some 15+ years ago. I can't believe the formal education process is so long. I've pulled back on work from 20 hours a week to 5-10 hours/wk, which means savings will stall. The reason is that I am required to take a 3-5 hr/wk lab and I want to take a language discussion section for ~3 hrs/wk. Most fun classes I'm taking are a social movements class and a french class. I can understand french pretty well now, even if my pronunciation and speaking vocabulary could use work. The social movements class is giving me ideas for post-FI activism/adventure.

Job wise, I've landed two final interviews, one at a HNW financial advisory in a small city of NY and the other at my college's investment office. If I had a choice, I'd likely choose the one at my school since it's in a very progressive and definitely less expensive area. It also has anti-consumerist vibe compared to a metro to be sure, not to mention more accepting of polyamory, LGBTQ, minorities, etc. In any case, the NY interview includes a dinner and hotel stay on an upcoming Saturday, and an 8 AM Sunday 3-hour interview including a written assessment, IQ/Personality Test, and meeting with upper management in the office. The Investment Office Interview will include meeting with upper management in the office and hoping for the best. I have no idea how to prepare for these after the first interview except to show up.

Relationship wise, my primary partner (strong emotional and physical relationship with a shared life path) and I have been together for almost a year now, and my secondary partner (strong emotional and physical relationship with a mutual understanding that a shared life path is not desired) and I have just transitioned our norm set from an "affectionate close friendship" into a secondary form relationship. Yay. Of note, think of "primary partner" and "secondary partner" like a primary form relationship and a secondary form relationship, rather than as a label hierarchy indicating competition between lovers (that would be the antithesis of polyamory). I also became "hug buddies" (I defined it as a strong emotional and cuddly close friendship) with a late 20's woman who is married and poly but her husband is monogamous and uses stricter physical norms than I'm use to. I wasn't sure where to fit the label, but we laughed it off - labels schmabels.

Vanabode wise, I think I'll wait until I'm living in a warmer climate, I don't want to blow up in the van. Cool news is, my PP is totally into financial independence, travelling the world together, eating a healthful vegan diet, being open, and working on climate justice together. We recently hiked 7 mountain peaks over 10 miles of up and down. She likes science, and I like writing. I see a power couple happening!<3

Vision Training wise, I've been slacking. I recently checked my eyes at the optometrist and got -1.25 and -1.5. I'm hoping to improve that, but I've failed at developing the habit of bringing my reading glasses everywhere, not to mention that my iPhone 5 screen's text is always too large. I'm wondering if there's a way to make the text smaller automatically (like really small).

Possession Wise, I'm still working on selling my bikes for a touring bike, sewing a ton of ultra light-weight Ray Way gear, and getting some misc. items like a standing desk adapter or nice drapes.

Jaw Surgery Wise, it's at a standstill. If I can get the Investment Office job, I can start orthodontic work ASAP and be done w/ the surgery within the year likely with fancy work insurance. If I get the job in NY, I don't know, I'll pick up the process from there I suppose.

Citizenship Wise, I am now an officially naturalized US Citizen. I even applied for a US passport and to vote. 17 years in the making baby~ I also successfully passed my driver's license test. I might get a zip car account just to have access to a car when needed.

College: I finish my last class on April 25th and graduate in late May, <3 months from now. Hello, capital accumulation phase with an interesting job.

Relationships: sh!t has gone to hell in a hand basket real fast. I might update later; I don't even know how I'm still getting my academic work done.

Vision Training: it's been put off to the side.

Citizenship: I got my US passport and can now vote. Yay.

---------------------------------JOB OFFER AND NEGOTIATION

Career: I am currently deciding/negotiating between a job as an analyst/financial planner at a HNW mostly passive financial advisery/hedge fund and still waiting to hear back from a mostly active investing firm as an Investment Associate. Here are the stats for the analyst/financial planner gig:

Start Date and Hours: Mid-July 2017, 9-6 M-FBase Salary: 56K starting in Mid-July 2017, with a salary review on Jan 2018 Profit Sharing Unit: 4 units ($4K) starting in mid-July 2017 and delivered after 2 yearsBonus: Office wide, I can be part of the bonus for Dec 2018, but not for the one for Dec 2017Relocation Stipend/Sign-On: Haven't asked for one yet, but I willCommitment: 3 yearsBackground Check: Required

Deferred Compensation: Simple IRA after 2 years, on 2019 Jan, w/ 2% match in April 2019Commuter Benefits: free shuttle service from train station to Office and back (maybe I can find an apartment by the train station)

----------------------------------

POST-MOVE CONCERNS

Possessions: same as last time: I'm still working on selling my bikes for a touring bike, sewing a ton of ultra light-weight Ray Way gear, and getting some misc. items like a standing desk adapter or nice drapes. The pressure is now on to really sell all this stuff and get the nice reliable touring commuter. I'm not sure if getting a professional looking yet inexpensive used car might be good considering the biz caz requirement. I'll see.

Vanabode: yeah, I'll wait until post-accum. due to cold, though I could see camping out in the company parking lot in business casual. : )

Housing: Doing preliminary research on room options in the new city. I've found many rooms at $400/mo, so it's looking good. If I can bike it or free-shuttle it, that'll let me save even more.

Taxes: My biggest expense concern atm. I won't have the Simple IRA until 2 years and the income taxes are in a high-tax city in NY. Gah.

Food: There seem to be many ethnic markets or non-whole foods like markets in the area. Good.

Culture: haven't done much research into the place the job is located yet culture-wise. Hopefully I can find a climate justice, kink/poly, or other alternative communities, otherwise I might get lonely. NY city is a half to hour long train ride though.

Orthognathia and Jaw Surgery: I'll investigate the many orthodontists in the new area and the firm's dental/health insurance for coverage, so I'll likely begin the process this June or July. Sadly, the recovery for double jaw surgery (yes it's medically required, I got multiple opinions) is 4-6 weeks. This will occur sometime late into my first year with the firm, so I'm not sure how I'll figure this out in terms of time off and communication with the Office.

Good work making progress on getting a job. Some questions, since I am not in this field and some of the details look unusual to me:
1. How does the profit sharing work? What are you really likely to get out of this.
2. How does the commitment work? You have to work there for three years?
3. They only contribute $550 per year for healthcare?
4. Three sick days isn't much. What happens if you get the flu and are out for two weeks?
5. They won't do any sort of deferred comp match until two years?

You might not want to be so open about posting the offer details non anonymously, online. If they stumble across it, it could be a problem.

Is the six week gap between graduation and start desired on your end, or required by them? Since you'll be in a low tax bracket this year, that missed work is especially expensive.

If you do not qualify for a retirement plan through your employer, can you open an IRA on your own? Or would the eligibility date for their IRA be negotiable? I managed that with my 401k at a smaller company.

Your tax rate will be pretty low for now anyway, tax optimization is probably only worth a few thousand during that time period.

Congrats again.

My biggest concern would be that you have a clear understanding of the work and expected hours. Moving for a job is a big commitment.

Accepted the job offer above with a negotiated 4K moving stipend. Insurance is $185/mo OoP. SIMPLE IRA takes 2 years to be eligible.

Now looking for an apartment and to sell all my shit/prepare for the move. Also need to buy a second suit , some more dress shirts, and a nice touring bike to use as a commuter (and for travel). Bike slow, show-up, dress-up. Still need to work out the details.

Working on educating myself more on relationships, break-ups, and best practices during times of crisis. Will read.

Working on finishing comps, which are due tomorrow and determine whether I graduate in May (monkey wrench if there ever was one)

Working on passing all classes, french being the potential defector (or risk having to take a summer class instead of adventuring)

Want to plan a big trip during the 6 weeks I have before I start work.

Will reach out to a few orthodontists/oral surgeons when I get to my work city

----------------------
Networth: 52.5K (due to sign-on)

Last edited by TopHatFox on Thu Mar 16, 2017 12:40 pm, edited 1 time in total.

Gilberto de Piento wrote:Good work making progress on getting a job. Some questions, since I am not in this field and some of the details look unusual to me:
1. How does the profit sharing work? What are you really likely to get out of this.
2. How does the commitment work? You have to work there for three years?
3. They only contribute $550 per year for healthcare?
4. Three sick days isn't much. What happens if you get the flu and are out for two weeks?
5. They won't do any sort of deferred comp match until two years?

Maybe someone in finance can explain if all of this is normal.

1. Apparently the Christmas bonus is a lot, a double digit percentage of salary. I won't have access 'till my second year.
2. Yes
3. $550/mo. $185/mo for me. Maybe it'd be better to get a high deductible on my own, but the insurances might be useful for jaw surgery
4. Maybe I wrote it down incorrectly. Thankfully I don't get sick often.
5. Yes, but then, I'm being paid a lot, so I'm pretty darn grateful already